For those of you who dig me so much you want to know my opinion on literature as well, check out Words of Questionable Wisdom for a review of Brad Meltzer’s new book. It should also appeal to those who are interested in Mr. Meltzer’s work in and out of comics (the number of whom I would expect far exceed the number who need my opinion on something else). For the rest of you who wish I would confine my musing to this very column, well here it is.
No Feet of Clay for This “Swamp Thing of the Cityâ€
Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray’s Monolith series was announced this summer at SDCC. The first issue is in stores today, so we caught up with both men to get some more details on the story.
Although co-writing seems as if it could get dicey every once in a while, Palmiotti and Gray have collaborated on more than a handful of projects already in print and have several upcoming releases coming soon. Gray joked with us about how disagreements are settled. “We settle things in the dojo.”
Raise the ancient protector of the Jewish people at The Pulse
As I have twice mentioned my excitement for this particular title, it should surprise no one that I did indeed follow through and pick it up this week. It looks great. The story is an excellent compliment to Winslade’s art style, especially his predilection towards gritty locales and worlds that are not entirely populated by “the beautiful people.†Winslade certainly has a stylized approach, but his vision and ability creates a world very much like our own, whether it be in the characters that populate it or the places they live.
Of course, the real attraction for me, as with any title I pick up, is the writing/story. Gray and Palmiotti do not disappoint in this endeavor. The opening scene provides the catalyst for what is to come (although what that might be is not entirely revealed) as well as providing a preview of things to come concerning the golem. The violence is shocking, but not just for the shake of being so. And the conclusion is touching and heart breaking. It sets the tone for the rest of the book, which succeeds in matching the interest raised by the opening. The $3.50 price tag (for the initial issue) may give some a bit of sticker trepidation, but I encourage you to swallow it and push forward. It is much worth your while and your cash. If you must trade something, just don’t pick up that issue of Xtreme X-Men. Marvel won’t mind, I promise.
Barrionuevo and Portela Join the Gotham Knights…Quietly
The biggest thorn in Batman’s side for the past year, Hush, is returning to plague the Dark Knight further. However, his return’s not in the pages of Batman, it will unfold within the Gotham Knights series by new creative team writer Andy Lieberman, penciler Al Barrionuevo and inker Francis Portela. With thanks to David Macho for the translations, THE PULSE was able to get some details from Barrionuevo and Portela on this storyline and their artwork.
Both creators were enthused to be a part of Gotham Knights. “It’s Batman,” said Portela of his interest on the project. “There’s nothing more to say.”
Barrionuevo agreed. “Drawing Batman is one of the best things that can happen to an artist in the American comics industry,” he said.
Tiptoe on over to The Pulse and be sure not to make a sound.
Sorry, Hush just doesn’t lend himself too much by how of wacky headlines.
The art looks pretty. Not Jim Lee pretty, but as Barrionuevo so humbly puts it, he is just beginning and always learning. So art-wise, I think it shall be a success. However, for it to be a success story-wise, I am proposing it meet the following criteria, listed in no particular order. First, a true dust up between Hush and Batman. No three punches and then someone ends up in the water and disappearing. Secondly, that Hush does not turn out to be Clayface. Clayface can appear, Clayface can even play at being Hush for awhile. All of this is fine. However, in the end, Clayface may not be Hush. That would be disappointing, illogical, and ultimately, far too easy. As a corollary of the first two stipulations, Clayface may not be Hush during the previously requested brawl. Third, and finally, we get a more solid answer on who Hush is. If he is Dr. Tom Elliot, fine. I have come to terms with that by now. But let’s actually reveal him as such, not imply and then have him disappear without answers. Normally, the mystery would not bother me, but because of the aforementioned Clayface thing, I would just prefer a straight answer.
Of course, in the end, if it well-written and interesting, but doesn’t meet these criteria, I am sure I will be okay with it. Still, I would love if I got all of my stipulations met. (I’m afraid I must impose a fourth criterion, Sir Stevens: that your third should not be met, sorry. This is a story that Jeph Loeb and only Jeph Loeb should be telling. I know, it’s hardly fair or realistic that a character become the “property†of a sole creator, but in this case, I feel it’s warranted. Mr. Loeb created and built up Hush for a year; if I get only what another writer, no matter how talented, thinks is Hush’s backstory, without finding out what Loeb had in mind, I’ll feel very cheated. In the 70’s and 80’s and even 90’s, one writer coming onto a title and ending the previous writer’s mystery was not unusual, but I think in this day and age of “superstar†writers, with more emphasis on plot than ever, this is a story the originator needs to finish. –Ben)
Bugger This, Lee Wants a Better World
What if you thought you knew what was right for the world and potentially had the power to make your vision a reality? Would you do it? That’s what The Authority is up to in the February weekly WildStorm event Coup D’eTaT. Will the rest of this world’s heroes just stand by and watch as The Authority reshapes the world in its image? We caught up with WildStorm and Coup D’eTaT – Sleeper artist Jim Lee for some information on this in the first of a two-part Jim Lee interview.
Go to The Pulse. Big Brot…err…The Authority is watching you.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I think I am ready to announce the winner of my first annual Wonder Woman #200/Ed Brubaker Award which honors those people, issues, titles, or crossovers that are kindly enough to provide me with article after article to share with the readers and fill up space in my column. It should be no surprise that the winner is: COUP D’ETAT!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (to be shouted in appropriate Kermit the Frog-esque voice).
I have no doubt that it is very honored.
I like the passion with which Lee talks about the WildStorm line and this crossover in particular. I know that is a pretty standard thing for a creator to discuss a company wide event in the manner Lee does, but with him, I don’t know, it just sounds and feels so much more genuine.
Hurtt Does Time For DC
Brian Hurtt has worked on an eclectic mix of projects over the past few years for the small press and bigger publishers. After doing a fill-in issue on Gotham Central, he got an offer from one of the DC Focus editors, Joan Hilty, to join the new line as the artist of Hard Time. Written by comics veteran Steve Gerber, Hard Time is the story of Ethan Chiles, a teen tried as an adult and serving a long sentence. Chiles suddenly develops super powers, but that doesn’t fix everything wrong in his life.
See how things look on the other side of the bars at The Pulse
I just don’t have much to offer by way of Hard Time, unfortunately. This is a pretty solid interview with a new creator that has some interesting things to say about what could be a pretty controversial basis for a comic book. Certainly worth a look.
Geoff Johns Sings? Why, Of Course He Does!
For the entire month of February, The Looney Bin is going to have interviews with top creators. Why? Because people love interviews. At least, that’s what Tim O’Shea told me. To kick off the party, The Looney Bin has an interview with the man of many titles: Geoff Johns.
Play like Simon Cowell and belittle at SBC
What a gloriously odd little interview. Sure, I learned nothing, but I sure did dig it. And actually, this is the perfect time to share with you Ben Morse’s big interview plan that most certainly gets my stamp of approval. Mr. Johns, or Geoff if you prefer, I do hope you are reading this and the following peeks your interest. Sometime in the near future, Ben and I would like to conduct an interview with you. But not the typical e-mail or phone call variety. Rather, we would like to meet you for the most classic and manly of beverages, grog (or beer as they call it these days) and have an informal interview/comic book discussion as we consume said beverage and/or some sort of typical bar sustenance (peanuts, nachos, wings… we are flexible). So, what do you say? Is Ben Morse not a genius? (Indeed he…er, I…is…am? Seriously, Geoff Johns, from the three lines of correspondence I have had with him, which consisted of him responding to his victory in the 2003 411 Best Writer Top Ten with “Dude, you made my night,†is a cool guy. Geoff Johns is a guy who deserves to get drunk with me and Tim. And more importantly, you, the readers, deserve to read about me and Tim getting drunk with Geoff Johns…or at least buzzed. The ball is in your court, Geoff; I swear we will pay for at least the first round…and by us, I mean Tim. –Ben)
Eury Profiles Giordano
Michael Eury and I, late last year, talked about Back Issue, the new TwoMorrows magazine he’s editing,. At that time, I also promised an interview with him regarding his Dick Giordano biography for TwoMorrows, Dick Giordano: Changing Comics, One Day at a Time. Here’s the basic vitals of the book, according to TwoMorrows, as it “covers his (Giordano’s) career as illustrator, inker, and editor, peppered with Dick’s personal reflections on his career milestones; lavishly illustrated with rare and never-before-seen comic book, merchandising, and advertising artwork; Extensive index of his published work; comments & tributes by Neal Adams, Dennis O’Neil, Terry Austin, Paul Levitz, Marv Wolfman, Julius Schwartz, Jim Aparo & others; and with a Foreword by Neal Adams and Afterword by Paul Levitz! The 176 page, 8-1/2″ x 11″ trade paperback with a full color cover and black-and-white interiors retails for $19.95 in the United States.†Now, on with the promised Q&A.
It’s all at SBC
Black Street Fighter?! Wow, go Giordano!
Wagner Covers The Trinity
Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity artist/writer Matt Wagner is covering the Dark Knight, the Man of Steel, and the Amazing Amazon in May. DC has given us a preview of the cover art.
Covered at The Pulse
I think Wagner on covers is a great idea, especially given his recent Green Arrow work, which was great and a testament of his creativity that he worked so well with two basic motifs (green and arrows). Unfortunately, the sample art for this does not seem as inspired. Perhaps, since it is only one cover for each, the iconic pose is fine. Still, I wish he were able to flex his creativity a little bit more.
Superman, Meet Seinfeld, Seinfeld Meet Superman
LOS ANGELES (AdAge.com) — In a move that further lifts its reputation as a pioneer in the field of branded entertainment marketing, American Express will launch a new show on the Internet starring Jerry Seinfeld, according to chief marketing officer John Hayes.
Watch the Man of Steel do nothing, hilariously, at AdAge
All I have to say is there’s no way Seinfeld bests Superman with a credit card this time. You may fool Superman once, but next time, you are in for a world of pain. Well, except for if you are Batman or Lex Luthor, in which case, feel free to fool the Man of Tomorrow as much as you see fit.
Remember everybody, this is the last weekend before Valentine’s Day. Last chance to scramble to get gifts and/or dates; the clock is a-ticking. I wish you the best of luck with that because, of course, Un Gajje means love in at least a dozen languages. Check back on Tuesday to see how all that love translates to comics.
